Lead Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Graphic Designer

Company: Castlery

Location: Singapore, Central, Singapore

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-06-22

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the conceptualization and execution of global brand campaigns, ensuring visual consistency across all touchpoints including digital, print, and retail environments.

• Drive the design of brand and product packaging, reflecting the premium quality and craftsmanship of Castlery's offerings.

• Develop and implement in-store communications and point-of-sale (POS) materials for Castlery's global retail footprint.

• Establish and maintain robust design systems and brand guidelines that facilitate global scalability and local relevance.

• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration with copywriters, brand leads, and marketing teams to ensure cohesive brand storytelling.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a "Lead" position, indicating significant ownership and strategic input beyond execution. The emphasis on "global campaigns," "design systems," and "guiding junior designers" suggests a need for strong leadership, strategic thinking, and process development skills, typical of a senior or lead role within a creative function. The focus on "scalability" and "efficiency" also points towards an operations-minded approach within the design function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the visual design strategy for global brand campaigns, managing projects from initial concept development through to final delivery across diverse media.

• Design compelling and on-brand packaging for Castlery's product lines, ensuring it communicates quality and aligns with brand aesthetics.

• Create impactful in-store communications, including signage, banners, and POS materials, to enhance the retail customer experience across various markets.

• Architect and document comprehensive design systems and brand guidelines to ensure consistent brand application and enable efficient execution by internal teams and external partners.

• Collaborate closely with content creators, marketing strategists, and product teams to ensure a unified and compelling brand narrative across all platforms.

• Provide art direction for photo and video shoots, and manage relationships with external production partners to achieve desired creative outcomes.

• Mentor and provide constructive feedback to junior designers and external agencies, ensuring adherence to brand standards and quality benchmarks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on creative leadership and operational efficiency. The emphasis on "building and maintaining design systems and brand guidelines that scale globally while staying locally relevant" and "building systems" indicates a need for structured, process-oriented thinking, which is crucial for operations-minded professionals.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a role of this seniority.

Experience: 6-9 years of progressive experience in graphic design, with a demonstrable track record of leading brand and campaign design initiatives.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in leading visual design for global brand campaigns across digital, print, and retail channels.

• Strong proficiency in graphic design principles, including typography, layout, and color theory, applied across both digital and physical formats.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing comprehensive design systems and scalable brand guidelines.

• Experience in designing packaging and in-store retail communications.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign).

• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams concurrently without compromising quality.

• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate creative decisions and provide constructive feedback. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with lifestyle, home furnishings, or fashion brands.

• Proficiency in motion graphics or video editing software.

• Experience in art directing photo or video shoots.

• Familiarity with project management tools and workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "building design systems and brand guidelines that teams can actually use and scale" is a key indicator of the operational rigor expected. This goes beyond creative output and requires strategic thinking about process, documentation, and implementation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing leadership in global brand campaign design from concept to execution.

• Examples of successfully implemented design systems and brand guidelines, demonstrating their scalability and usability.

• Case studies of packaging design projects that reflect an understanding of brand positioning and product quality.

• Demonstrations of in-store or retail communication design, illustrating an ability to enhance customer experience.

• Work samples that highlight strong typography, layout, and color application across diverse media. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of creating and maintaining design workflows that ensure consistency and efficiency across markets.

• Documentation of processes for managing multiple design projects simultaneously, including prioritization and resource allocation.

• Examples of how design systems were implemented and adopted by teams, showcasing process adoption and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead Graphic Designer role with an emphasis on systems and scalability, a portfolio is critical. It needs to go beyond just showcasing aesthetics to demonstrating strategic thinking about process, brand governance, and operational impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Lead Graphic Designer with 6-9 years of experience in Singapore, the estimated annual salary range is SGD 75,000 - SGD 110,000. This estimate accounts for the senior nature of the role, the company's focus on quality and global reach, and the cost of living in Singapore.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.

• Paid time off, including vacation and sick leave.

• Opportunities for professional development and continued learning.

• Employee discounts on Castlery furniture.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Contribution to a robust retirement savings plan.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with standard business hours. Some flexibility may be required for global campaign coordination and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on typical Lead Graphic Designer roles in Singapore's competitive market, considering Castlery's presence as a significant e-commerce furniture retailer. Benefits are standard for a full-time position of this caliber in the region.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce, Furniture, Home Decor, Retail. Castlery operates in a dynamic market where visual branding and customer experience are paramount.

Company Size: Castlery is a growing e-commerce retailer, indicating a dynamic and potentially fast-paced work environment where efficient processes and clear communication are crucial for scaling operations.

Founded: Castlery was founded in 2013. This relatively young company history suggests a modern, agile, and potentially innovative organizational culture, focused on growth and adapting to market trends.

Team Structure:

• The Lead Graphic Designer will be part of the Creative team, likely reporting to a Creative Director or Head of Marketing/Brand.

• This role involves close collaboration with marketing, brand management, product development, and potentially retail operations teams.

• There is an expectation to guide and review the work of junior designers and external agencies, indicating a leadership component within the team structure. Methodology:

• Castlery emphasizes "rethinking homes for how people really live," suggesting a user-centric and practical approach to design and branding.

• The focus on "consistency, quality, and scalability" highlights a commitment to robust processes and operational excellence within creative output.

• The company's slogan, "Built for Real Life, Designed for What’s Next," implies an agile, forward-thinking, and adaptive operational philosophy.

Company Website: https://www.castlery.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Castlery's focus on "real life" design and "what's next" indicates a culture that values both practicality and innovation. For a Lead Designer, this means balancing established brand consistency with creative evolution, requiring strong process management to achieve both.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior/Lead level position within the Graphic Design function. It requires not only advanced design skills but also the ability to strategize, manage projects, build systems, and mentor others. This role bridges creative execution with operational management of design processes.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Director or a senior marketing/brand lead. They will, in turn, oversee the work of junior designers and external agencies, acting as a key point of contact for design-related projects.

Operations Impact: The Lead Graphic Designer's work directly impacts Castlery's brand perception, customer engagement, and sales conversion across all channels. By ensuring visual consistency and quality, they contribute to a strong brand identity, which is a critical operational asset for customer acquisition and retention. The development of scalable design systems also has a significant operational impact by improving efficiency and reducing design bottlenecks.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to advance into a Creative Director or Head of Design role as Castlery expands.

• Opportunities to specialize in specific areas such as brand strategy, campaign management, or digital experience design.

• Development of leadership and team management skills through guiding junior designers and agency partners.

• Exposure to global market strategies and cross-functional project leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Lead" title signifies a career progression beyond individual contribution, emphasizing strategic oversight and process development, akin to operational leadership within a creative domain.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Castlery likely operates a modern office environment in Singapore, designed to foster collaboration and creativity.

Office Location(s): Singapore, Central, Singapore. This central location offers good accessibility for employees.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative workspace designed to encourage interaction between creative team members, marketing, and other departments.

• Access to industry-standard design software and hardware.

• Potential for hands-on involvement in retail store design and visual merchandising discussions.

• Opportunities to work on diverse projects ranging from digital campaigns to physical retail experiences.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours/week) are expected, with a focus on project delivery and meeting campaign timelines. Flexibility may be required during peak periods or for international project coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, which is often beneficial for creative brainstorming and team cohesion, particularly in roles involving art direction and guiding junior staff.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience and fit for the role.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you present a curated selection of your work, focusing on campaign leadership, design systems, and branding. Be prepared to discuss your strategic thinking, process, and impact.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: May involve a design challenge or a discussion around specific software proficiency and problem-solving approaches.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential team members and cross-functional stakeholders to evaluate collaboration style and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: With senior leadership to discuss strategic vision and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your leadership in global campaigns, design system development, and brand consistency. Include examples of packaging and retail design.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges, your process (including any system/guideline development), the solutions, and the measurable impact or outcomes.

• Highlight Systems Thinking: Emphasize your ability to build and scale design systems and brand guidelines. Show how these systems were implemented and how they contributed to efficiency.

• Demonstrate Brand Sensibility: Showcase your understanding of typography, layout, and color, and how you apply these to create a cohesive and impactful visual identity for lifestyle brands.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your creative process, how you manage feedback, your approach to art direction, and how you mentor junior designers.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a design challenge that might require you to develop concepts for a campaign or propose solutions for a retail communication problem, testing your ability to think on your feet and apply your design principles under pressure.

• Practice articulating your design decisions concisely and persuasively, focusing on how your creative solutions align with business objectives and brand strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on design systems and global campaigns, interviewers will likely assess not just creative talent but also the ability to operationalize design processes and ensure brand consistency at scale.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and complex illustrations.
  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital asset creation.
  • InDesign: For layout design of print materials, brochures, and guidelines.

• Figma/Sketch/Adobe XD: Likely used for design system components, prototyping, and collaborative design work.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for a designer, understanding how design impacts metrics (e.g., website engagement, campaign performance) is beneficial. Familiarity with analytics platforms like Google Analytics or similar tools for reviewing campaign performance data could be a plus.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to the core design role, but awareness of how design assets are used within marketing automation platforms or CRM campaigns may be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is a hard requirement. Experience with collaborative design tools like Figma or Sketch is highly beneficial for Design System work and team collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Craftsmanship: A commitment to producing high-quality, well-executed design work that reflects the premium nature of Castlery's products.

• Consistency & Cohesion: Upholding a unified brand identity across all customer touchpoints, ensuring a seamless experience.

• Scalability & Efficiency: Developing processes and systems that allow the creative function to grow and adapt to market demands efficiently.

• User-Centricity: Designing with the end-user and their experience in mind, aligning visuals with customer needs and lifestyle.

• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: Embracing new ideas and design approaches to keep the brand fresh and relevant ("Designed for What's Next").

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with marketing, brand, and product teams.

• Emphasis on clear communication, constructive feedback, and shared ownership of brand outcomes.

• A culture that values presenting creative rationale and engaging in thoughtful discussions to arrive at the best solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values suggest a culture that balances creative excellence with business acumen and operational discipline. A candidate who can demonstrate both artistic talent and process-oriented thinking will be highly valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining brand consistency across diverse global markets with varying cultural nuances and local marketing efforts.

• Balancing the need for high-quality, bespoke creative work with the demand for rapid, scalable output.

• Effectively art directing shoots and managing external partners to achieve specific creative visions while staying within budget and timeline constraints.

• Championing and implementing design systems that are adopted and utilized effectively by various teams and stakeholders. Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen expertise in brand strategy and campaign development for a global e-commerce leader.

• Develop leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and managing agency relationships.

• Gain exposure to international marketing strategies and cross-functional project management.

• Opportunities to learn about retail design and its integration with digital brand experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in global creative roles and offer significant opportunities for professional development, particularly in areas of process optimization and stakeholder management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach building a design system for a global brand like Castlery, ensuring both consistency and local adaptability?" (Focus on process, documentation, governance, and collaboration.)

• "Describe a time you led a global brand campaign from concept to completion. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure visual cohesion across different channels and markets?" (Highlight project management, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration.)

• "How do you balance the need for creative innovation with maintaining strict brand guidelines and operational efficiency?" (Emphasize process, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on our brand and company mission, what do you see as the biggest opportunities for visual storytelling at Castlery?" (Show understanding of the brand and its market.)

• "How do you approach art directing a photoshoot to ensure it aligns with brand values and campaign objectives?" (Demonstrate leadership, vision, and execution control.)

• "How would you collaborate with our marketing and product teams to ensure design assets are optimized for different platforms and campaigns?" (Focus on communication, understanding of marketing goals, and cross-functional teamwork.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure your presentation logically: introduction, project overview, your role and process, challenges, solutions, and outcomes/impact.

• For design system examples, clearly show the core components, guidelines, and how they were applied.

• Be prepared to discuss the operational aspects of your work: how you managed timelines, collaborated with others, and ensured scalability.

• Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Improved design delivery time by X% through implementing new templates").

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative skill but also strategic thinking, process management, and leadership capabilities, aligning with the "Lead" aspect of the role and the company's emphasis on scalability and efficiency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Castlery careers portal.

• Prepare a compelling portfolio: Ensure it prominently features your experience in leading global campaigns, developing design systems, and creating impactful packaging and retail designs. Tailor your selection to highlight strategic thinking and process.

• Tailor your resume: Emphasize your years of experience, leadership responsibilities, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any experience with scaling design operations or brand guidelines.

• Practice your portfolio presentation: Be ready to articulate your design decisions, process, and the operational impact of your work, focusing on how you contribute to brand consistency and efficiency.

• Research Castlery: Understand their brand aesthetic, target audience, and market position. Consider how your design philosophy aligns with their mission of "Built for Real Life, Designed for What’s Next."

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.